Hatchback: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

Handout, Volkswagen

by
Annette McLeod, National Post | October 21, 2011

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In 1998, Volkswagen dared to introduce the New Beetle, based on the Golf platform. Gone was the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, although the design remained distinctly Beetle, with its vestigial running boards, large round tail lights, sloping headlights and the high, round roofline. Gone, too, was the simplicity of its engineering, replaced with the technologies modern consumers demanded.

This year, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle debuts more sophisticated than ever, with a longer front end, pushed-back pillars and a more upright windshield, based on the new Jetta platform. You can think of it as a second-generation New Beetle, but Volkswagen is strictly calling it The Beetle, or the 21st Century Beetle. It somehow harkens more to the original than the previous generation, while having a flattened look that takes something away from its distinctive round greenhouse.

It’s longer, lower and wider than the last model and gone are the round tail lights, replaced by flattened ovals that appear to disappear into the trunk, giving the rear end a very different look. In spite of it being wider and longer, it’s 26 kilograms lighter than the last, with a coefficient of drag of .37, which ain’t bad for a rolling bubble.

We’ll see two engines in Canada this year, a 2.5-litre in-line five with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque and a 2.0L turbo four (available only on the Sportline) with 207 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The former comes with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo gets a six-speed manual or six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox automatic. The 2.5L is expected to be the volume seller with about a 70% share. A diesel engine joins the lineup (along with a convertible) next year.

VW’s global launch strategy is to offer a limited number of special editions first off the assembly line. In Canada, they’re dubbed Premiere and Premiere+. Once 600 of those are gone, the regular trim levels are Comfortline, Highline and Sportline. You can still get what comprises the Premiere editions, but it’ll cost you, as you’ll have to order one of the other trim levels and start loading on the options.